quarta-feira, 18 de janeiro de 2012

Modern Lisbon is suffused with the memories of past
centuries that emanate from the cobblestone streets and crenellated
castle walls. The Gothic and Baroque architecture is complemented by
sleek boutique hotels and waterfront development, and sunny days and
warm weather — not to mention access to golden Atlantic beaches — make
the Portuguese capital a permanent draw to the westernmost part of
Europe’s Iberian Peninsula.

Lisbon is one of the oldest cities in Europe -- older than London and
Paris -- and its position at the intersection of the Tagus River and
the Atlantic Ocean made Lisbon the jumping off point for many
15th-century Portuguese explorers, including Vasco da Gama during the
city’s golden age.In the last 20 years, the city’s revival has
been astonishing. As the 1994 European Capital of Culture and the host
of the 1998 World Expo (for which Santiago Calatrava designed the
soaring Oriente train station), Lisbon’s antique neighbourhoods got a
facelift, while rundown areas around the port were completely
revitalized. Many of the city’s derelict buildings have been renovated
in the last decade.
Although the current economic climate has
taken a bite out of Portugal’s economy and the country is facing a
recession, Lisbon is still capable of putting on a fabulous time. From
inexpensive, but delicious Portuguese wines to coffee and pastries in
the cafes of the Alfama district (the city’s oldest), lisboetas do not
shun the good life. Being further blessed with a subtropical climate,
mostly sunny days and nearby beaches, the city’s main selling point is a
high quality of life.

Where do you want to live?
Some of the most
popular neighbourhoods to live in are those close to the Tagus River and
the Alfama, such as Bairro Alto and Chiado, with their narrow streets
and lively nightlife. Much of Chiado was destroyed in a fire in 1988,
but has since been rebuilt and brought back to life. Also popular,
especially with foreigners, are small neighbourhoods “uptown” that have a
village-like feel, plus amenities like schools, pharmacies, restaurants
and parks. “These include Alvalade closer to the airport, Amoreiras and
the Avenidas Novas district,” said Pedro Ribeiro, general manager of
Real Living Portugal, a real estate agency. “The site of the former
World Expo near the river is also popular.”
There are areas of
northern Lisbon that are gentrifying, but so far, they are more popular
with locals than with foreigners. Lumiar is home to palaces of former
aristocrats and the largest park in the city, Quinta das Conchas;
Benfica is home to the Estadia da Luz football stadium and the Benfica
football club; and Telheiras is between the two.

Side trips
When lisboetas want to get away,
they go to the Atlantic coast. The wealthy resort town of Cascais to the
west of the city is a short drive or train ride away and attracts
locals and tourists for its beaches. Even closer is the Costa da
Caparica on the south side of the river, with golden, sandy beaches and
lively markets. Sintra, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is in the Sintra
Mountains, close to Lisbon and filled with historic castles and ornate
palaces.